Chapter 5 Improving Children's Attitudes and Awareness Toward a Healthy Lifestyle in Early Childhood: A Five-European Country Intervention Program

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to highlight the impact of an “Early Steps Physical Education Curriculum” (ESPEC) in children's attitudes and awareness toward a healthy lifestyle in early childhood. ESPEC was a part of a five-European country intervention program named “Early Steps” project. Early Steps project was a European Union funded initiation that targeted at improving children's healthy lifestyle and social development. The main philosophy behind the “Early Steps” project was the use of physical education activities to help children acquire the basic knowledge of social interaction skills, and healthy and active lifestyle. The ESPEC was designed to improve children's awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The curriculum comprised of 24 physical education lessons, which aimed through the acquisition of several motor skills at making children in early childhood engage more actively in a healthy lifestyle. Results showed that children developed several healthy habits through their participation in play experiences provided by the “ESPEC for healthy lifestyle.” Such findings could lead to the conclusion that (a) children's attitudes toward a healthy lifestyle can be influenced positively and enhanced in a carefully organized physical education program and (b) curriculum-based initiatives that aim at improving children's attitudes and behaviors, such as the “ESPEC for healthy lifestyle” program, can be implemented effectively in early childhood education.

Citation

Grammatikopoulos, V., Gregoriadis, A. and Zachopoulou, E. (2012), "Chapter 5 Improving Children's Attitudes and Awareness Toward a Healthy Lifestyle in Early Childhood: A Five-European Country Intervention Program", Sutterby, J.A. (Ed.) Early Education in a Global Context (Advances in Early Education and Day Care, Vol. 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 109-126. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0270-4021(2012)0000016008